Carmen Marron’s independent film, Go For it!, several years in the making culminated during the screening this past week as part of the 2010 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival.
The feature centers around Carmen Salgado played by Aimee Garcia (known for her role as Veronica Palmero on The George Lopez Show) who is biding her time in junior college while working as the manager of a grocery store. Carmen’s true passion and talent for dancing is plucked from obscurity by her professor played by Al Bandiero Marron pulls from her own life growing up in an immigrant Mexican household in Chicago and dancing at Logan Square where the film mostly takes place. The primary impetus behind the film was seeing the talented Latino youth Marron advised as a guidance counselor going through similar experiences, but not tapping into their potential.
Thankfully Marron doesn’t embed Go For It! with gratuitous dance battle scenes through the Latin-infused hip-hop choreography was definitely fun and memorable. Marron also successfully avoids overstuffing the film though she is mindful to not gloss over critical issues some youth are grappling with such as abusive relationships, which is powerfully highlighted by Gina played by Gina Rodriguez (who most recently had a recurring role on Army Wives).
While there’s an onslaught of dance films (think the Step Up franchise) that are formulaic and downright bland, Go For It! is an independent that adds a layer of authenticity lacking in many dance movies. Ideally, Marron’s film would’ve precluded all the others. Our hope is that it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle so that they can get their message out to Go For It! Learn more about the film at goforitmovie.com